In the anime

As a Cranidos

Roark found Rampardos as a Cranidos during his childhood, when it was still a Fossil. It was the first Pokémon to be restored from a Fossil by scientists in Oreburgh City.

Cranidos debuted in Shapes of Things to Come!, where Roark used it as the third and final Pokémon against Paul. It knew some powerful attacks, such as Zen Headbutt. Cranidos fought against Paul's Chimchar and Paul allowed Chimchar to get hit repeatedly by its Zen Headbutt. This caused Chimchar to activate Blaze, which powered its Fire-type moves. Even though this gave Chimchar the upper hand, it was still not enough, as Cranidos managed to defeat Chimchar with Headbutt after Chimchar executed Dig.

Cranidos then went up against Elekid, who took damage earlier from its battle with Roark's Onix. During the battle, Elekid pounded Cranidos's knee, which caused it to reel in pain. Despite Elekid's Staticparalyzing Cranidos, it was canceled out by Cranidos's Mold Breaker. Cranidos still suffered from the added pain on its knee and then clashed with Elekid's Brick Break with its Zen Headbutt. Both Pokémon stood up and Cranidos fell down, thus losing to Elekid, but not without giving a fierce battle.

Rampardos and Roark

In A Gruff Act to Follow!, Roark used it as his first Pokémon against Ash and his Aipom. It surprised everyone by jumping into the air with Headbutt when Aipom was about to charge for Focus Punch. Aipom's Focus Punch was interrupted after she was hit by Headbutt. It wasn't long until Cranidos was able to defeat Aipom despite Aipom's use of Double Team.

Cranidos battled Pikachu next. It overpowered Pikachu at first even though Pikachu had used Thunderbolt and Iron Tail on it before, assuming that it would slow down. This caused Paul to leave but Pikachu's fighting spirit convinced him to stay. Ash recalled Pikachu and sent out Turtwig. Cranidos countered Turtwig's Razor Leaf with Flamethrower, burning out Razor Leaf. Cranidos combination of Zen Headbutt and Flamethrower nearly took out Turtwig but Turtwig survived them and Cranidos lost to Turtwig's Razor Leaf. However, the impact of the battle weakened both Turtwig and Pikachu enough so that Roark's Onix could finish them off, thus defeating Ash.

In Wild in the Streets!, Cranidos was sent out to deal with a rampaging Kabutops and Armaldo. Team Rocket's intervention gave Dr. Kenzo and another scientist a change to recall them in the Poké Balls. Cranidos briefly took on Aerodactyl and stopped its Giga Impact from attacking any further. It then battled Team Rocket and Meowth fired his net at it. This gave Cranidos the courage to evolve into Rampardos and defeated the trio after getting the Fossil revival machine back from them.

Ash then challenged Roark for a rematch in O'er the Rampardos we Watched!. Rampardos became the last Pokémon Ash faced. Since both Aipom and Pikachu dealt with Geodude and Onix previously, they were unable to handle Rampardos's power which caused Rampardos to easily defeat them. During its battle with Turtwig, Rampardos almost defeated Turtwig, but Turtwig managed to emerge victorious once again due to quick thinking on Ash's part, earning Ash the Coal Badge.

Rampardos and Bastiodon

In Ancient Family Matters!, it battled Byron's Bastiodon. However, the match was interrupted due to Team Rocket trying to steal Byron's Fossil collection. It then teamed up with Bastiodon to send the trio blasting off and retrieve the Fossils.

Personality and characteristics

Since reviving Cranidos from a Fossil, it became Roark's most relied on Pokémon. During the battles between Paul and Ash, it was able to hold its own against them, even forcing the opponent down to one Pokémon.

During Cranidos's first battle against Ash, it nearly defeated him on its own but lost to Turtwig. However, it contributed to weakening his team enough for Onix to defeat both Turtwig and Pikachu.

Training events

Roark's Rampardos could be battled against during the Water-type training event. The first event, named the "Hilbert Spotlight Scout!", ran from September 23 to October 7, 2019. The second Water-type training event, called the "Kris Spotlight Scout", ran from November 21 to December 5, 2019. The Water-type training event was again available in "Training Events" that ran from January 1 to 15, 2020.

In A Conk on Cranidos's Cranium, Roark sent Cranidos out as his first Pokémon during Platinum’s Gym battle with him. Cranidos fought against Piplup. After he managed to do heavy damage to her with a super-effective Shock Wave, both Roark and Platinum immediately recalled their Pokémon and sent out Onix and Ponyta in their stead.

Following the defeat of Onix, Roark sent out Cranidos again. Cranidos used Double Team which gave Piplup problems. He continued to use Double Team and attempted a Zen Headbutt. However, Piplup used Water Pulse earlier which caused Cranidos to get confused. The confusion caused Cranidos to hurt himself and eventually faint.

Cranidos reappeared in Brash Bronzong I alongside his Trainer. During a talk with Mr. Foreman, Cranidos evolved into a Rampardos, something that Roark expected.

In Creeping Away from Cradily, Rampardos participated in the final battle alongside the Gym Leaders’ other Pokémon against Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter. It was revealed later on that Roark was able to defeat Saturn. However, the Red Chain bind Rampardos and the others in an attempt to stop Cyrus. He worked with the other Pokémon worked together to free themselves from the Red Chain.

Roark's Cranidos was used to rescue Hareta after he was tied up by Wurmple's String Shot. Then, he used it in Hareta's Gym battle and lost to his Piplup with the help of an Oran Berry Roark gave earlier.

Cranidos was later seen along with the Gym Leaders's other Pokémon where they were battling with Palkia in order to protect Hareta. However, Palkia canceled out their attacks.

In the TCG

Roark's RampardosCards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.